President Nicos Anastasiades reiterated his determination on Monday to work along the UN to achieve a functional and lasting solution to the Cyprus problem, based on UN Security Council resolutions during a meeting at the presidential palace with the UN Secretary-General’s special envoy Jane Holl Lute.

Lute is on the island to discuss several talking points ahead of the upcoming informal meeting 5+1 on Cyprus in Geneva convened by the United Nations.

The President also said that the presence of the EU as an observer at the meeting in Geneva in the interest of both sides, as the latest statements on the issue from the Turkish government indicate their willingness to have a positive relation with the EU.

Lute will also meet Turkish Cypriot leader Ersin Tatar.

Earlier she was meeting the UNSG’s Special Representative in Cyprus, Elizabeth Spehar and the members of the team on the Cyprus problem at the UNSG’s good offices mission, to be briefed on developments and meetings taking place on the ground.

During her stay on the island, Lute is also expected to meet with the two sides’ negotiators.

On Wednesday she will visit Athens to hold meetings with Greek Foreign Minister Nikos Dendias, and other officials of the Greek Foreign Ministry.